Sable Antelope

Large and distinctive, the sable antelope are best known for their majestic horns

Kafue national park is widely thought to be home to more species of antelope than any other park south of the Congo basin. The Sable is one of twenty species found in the park.

Standing at 4.5ft at the shoulder the Sable’s horns can grow a huge 5.5ft long. It is a rotund, barrel-chested antelope with a short neck, long face, and dark mane. Both males and females boast impressive ringed horns that rise vertically and curve backward. When they arch their necks and stand with their heads held high and tails outstretched, they resemble horses. This flexed-neck position makes sables appear larger than they really are. The males maintain this position even when they gallop, as the arched neck is an important manifestation of dominance.

They prefer light woodland forest and can fall prey to many of Kafue national parks predators including lions, leopards, hyena, hunting dog and crocodile. Only 75,000 remain in the wild.